Apparatus for positioning a record carrier



16, 1966 H. KITTEL ETAL 3,266,612

6 APPARATUS FOR rosxwxoume A RECORD cmmmn Filed May 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 16, 1966 H. KITTEL ETAL 3,266,612

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A RECORD CARRIER Filed May 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR$ Hun-non mu g Be nhard Hem BY llcln g 11M Than! 1.69/4

16, 1966 H. KITTEL ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A RECORD CARRIER Filed May 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVE N TURS Aug. 16', 1966 H. KITTEL ET AL APPARATUS FOR Posmomm A RECORD CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1964 H Wm W X United States Patent 3,266,612 APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A RECORD CARRIER Hermann Kittel, Bernhard Hettich, and Helmuth Moosmueller, Villingen, Black Forest, Germany, assignors to Kienzle Apparate G.m.b.I-l., Villingen, Black Forest,

Germany Filed May 5, 1964, Ser. No. 365,865 Claims priority, application Germany, July 28, 1961, K 44,362 13 Claims. (Cl. 197-127) This application is a continuation-in-part application of the copending application Serial No. 212,340 filed July 25, 1962, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion into a business machine, and more particularly to an apparatus by which a paper form is adjusted and properly positioned before being fed to the printing means of an accounting machine.

The printing means of the accounting machine print along a line which extends in a given direction, and it is necessary and desirable that the paper form is inserted into the accounting machine in a position in which the lines on the paper form extend exactly parallel to the direction in which the line printed by the printing means extends, and that the lines of the paper form are positioned in such a manner that the printed lines appear in the spaces between the lines of the paper form.

Known apparatus serving this purpose provides sprockets cooperating with perforations along the edges of the paper form which has the disadvantage that it is necessary to perforate the cards or paper forms, and furthermore that the sprockets have a predetermined distance from each other and can be used only with paper forms having a certain width.

If an attempt is made to feed the paper forms or cards into the accounting machines by smooth rollers, it is unavoidable that at least some cards are inserted into the accounting machine in an incorrect position, particularly if the leading edge of the card is slightly deformed and is not properly engaged by the transporting rollers.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of known apparatus for feeding record carriers, such as paper form and cards, to a business machine, such as an accounting machine, and to provide an apparatus for positioning the record carrier before the same is fed to the business machine.

Another object of the invention is to transport the record carrier into the business machine only after the position of the record carrier has been adjusted to a desired position in which recordings made by the business machine on the record carrier appear in a desirable position on the record carrier.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple apparatus obtaining the exact positioning of a card or paper form relative to the printing means of an accounting machine irrespective of slight deformations of the card or paper form.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises transporting or feeding means including transporting roller means and presser means for transporting a record carrier, supporting means for the presser means movable between a first position in which the presser means, for example a roller, is spaced from the transporting roller means, and a second position in which the presser roller presses a record carrier against the transporting roller so that the record carrier is transpoted; positioning means having a blocking position for engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted between the transporting roller and the presser roller for adjusting the position of the record carrier while the presser roller and the transporting roller are in the spaced ICC.

position; connecting means connecting the positioning means with the supporting means for movement; and

operating means for shifting the supporting means and the positioning means.

The interconnection between the positioning means and the supporting means is arranged in such a manner that the positioning means is in the blocking position and adjusts the record carrier while the transporting roller and the presser roller are spaced from each other and permit the record carrier to assume the desired position by resting on the positioning means. When the supporting means is movedto the second position in which the presser roller cooperates with the transporting roller to feed the record carrier, the positioning means is retracted to the inoperative position and releases the record carrier for movement toward the accounting machine.

The operating means are actuated with a certain delay after the record carrier has arrived in a position engaging the positioning means, so that there is sufficient time for the record carrier to assume the desired position before the positioning means is rendered inoperative, and the feeding and transporting means started.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means for the transporting roller are started when sensing means sense a record carrier, while the shifting of the presser roller to the position in which the record carrier is transported, and the retraction of the positioning means is carried out only after the transporting roller has reached its full transporting speed while being spaced from the presser roller.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partially schematic, side view, partly in section, illustrating an embodiment of the invention in a first operational position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a detail of FIG. 1 in another operational position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric circuit used in a preferred arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, partially schematic side view illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5a shows a detail of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an accounting machine provided with the apparatus of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the platen 1 of an accounting machine is schematically indicated to be mounted on a shaft 2. Accounting machines are generally provided with rollers cooperating with the platen 1, but when the apparatus of the present invention is used, these rollers are moved to an inoperative position since during the accounting and printing operations, the record carrier, for example a paper form, is held and guided in the positioning apparatus of the present invention. The line spacing and corresponding shifting of the paper form is also carried manner. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a guide means including two guide plates 3 and 4 forming a guideway into which a paper form 7 is inserted. Each guide means includes lateral walls and 5 which are fixed to the front plate 4 to form with the same a pocket having three walls which can be closed by a cover, not shown. Plates 3 and 4 have two pairs of opposite openings 3,a 4a and 3b, 4b. A pair of supporting levers 8 and 9 is mounted on pivot means 10 and 11 which are secured to the lateral walls 5 and 5'. A presser roller 6' is mounted on the ends of supporting levers 8 and 9, and is partly located in the opening 4a. A transporting roller 6 is mounted on a hexagonal shaft 24 for rotation therewith and shiftable in axial direction, and projects into opening 3a. A gear 6a is fixed on shaft 24 and meshes with a gear 25a on a shaft 25' which carries a toothed pulley 25 from which transporting roller 6 can be driven by belt 26. Presser roller 6, transporting roller 6 and gear 6a constitute feeding or transporting means for the record carrier and transport the same in a feeding direction.

A spring 13 is secured to a bar 13a connecting the other ends of the supporting levers 8, 9, and is connected to a fixed point so that the supporting levers 8 and 9 are biased to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the paper form 7 is pressed against and transported by the transporting roller 6.

Blocking or holding means are provided for normally holding supporting lever means 8, 9 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. A hexagonal shaft 19 supports a sleeve 18 to which a pair of blocking arms 16 and 17 is secured. Projecting studs 14 and 15 on blocking arms 16 and 17 engage supporting levers 8 and 9, so that spring 13 cannot turn supporting levers 8 and 9 as long as shaft 19 is prevented from turning movement. An arm 56 is also mounted on shaft 19 and connected by link 55 to a lever means 49 which is .turnable about a pivot 53. Lever means 49 carries a pivoted member 47 which is urged by a spring 50 to abut the stop 51. Spring 50 is secured to a pin 32 which is located in a slot 52 of lever means 49. In the position of FIG. 1, member 47 abuts a cam 46 which is fixed on a shaft 45 and carries a roll 54 on which lever means 49 abuts under the action of spring 13.

As long as cam 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the blocking arms 14 and 15 are held against supporting levers 8 and 9, and the presser roller 6' is spaced from the transporting rollers 6.

A motor M has a shaft carrying a pulley 31 connected by a belt 30 to a larger pulley 29 on a shaft 28. The pulley and belt drive, shafts 28, 45, the gears thereon, and members 46, 47 constitute a transmission between the motor and operating means which include control means 49, 55, 56, 19, and blocking means 16, 17, 14, 15. A toothed pulley 27 is fixed to shaft 28 and connected by a chain belt 26 to the toothed pulley 25 on shaft 25' so that drive motor means M drives transporting roller 6.

In the position of FIG. 1 in which presser roller 6 is spaced from transporting roller 6, a card 7 inserted into the guideway between plates 3 and 4 is not transported and is freely movable in the guideway. Positioning means are provided for blocking the card or paper form 7 in the guideway, while adjusting the position of the card or paper form in such a manner that the lines thereon will be exactly aligned with the printing means of the 23 is secured to a positioning lever 21 pivotally mounted on a pivot means 22 on lateral wall 5, as best seen in FIG. 2. The end of lever 21 has a cutout receiving a projecting stud 20 fixed on supporting lever 8, so that upon turning movement of the supporting lever means 8 and 9 out of the position of FIG. 1, the positioning means 21, 23 is also turned, and assumes the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 in which the projecting portion of the feeler means is retracted from Opening 3b and from the guideway, permitting the paper form 7 to move in the guideway when the presser roller 6' presses the paper form or card against the transporting roller 6.

The entire guiding device 12 with all parts mounted thereon is slidable in axial direction of shaft 19, and a corresponding device 12, is provided on shaft 19 spaced in axial direction so that two positioning means 23 engage two spaced portions of the leading edge of a paper form or card 7. Transporting roller 6 is slidable in axial direction of shaft 24, so that the two devices 12 can be shifted to a position in which the respective positioning means 23 are spaced from each other corresponding to the axial width of the paper form or card. The gear 611, however, and arm 56 are fixed to shafts 24 and 19, and do not move in axial direction when the positions of the devices 12 are adjusted in accordance with the width of the paper form.

It is evident that instead of one pair of devices 12 for one paper form, another pair of devices 12 can be provided on shafts 19 and 24 for supporting a second paper form.

Shaft 28 carries an arresting wheel 33 which cooperates with a shiftable pawl 35 controlled by an electromagnetic means, not shown in FIG. 1. The arresting wheel 33 determines the exact angular position of shaft 24 with transporting rollers 6 and of shaft 45 with cam 46 since shafts 24 and 45 are driven from shaft 28.

Shaft 28 also carries a gear 43 meshing with a gear 44 secured to shaft 45 on which cam 46 is fixedly mounted. As explained above, cam 46 carries a roller 54 on which operating lever means 49 abuts, while a cam face of cam 46 engages member 47 which is pivotally mounted on lever means 49. The cam face of cam 46 ends in a pointed end 46. Member 47 is released with a delay after shaft 45 with cam 46 has turned in counterclockwise direction a given angle, resulting in rapid turning movement of operating lever means 49, and in a corresponding rapid release of supporting lever means 8, 9 by the blocking means 14 to 18 so that presser roller 6 moves fast toward supporting roller 6, and positioning means 23 is rapidly retracted from the guideway.

When motor M is started, the transporting roller means 6 and shaft 45 begin to turn in counterclockwise direction. However, lever means 49 is not immediately released, since cam 46 supports member 47 a certain angle until member 47 is released by cacm portion 46. Consequently, the motor and the transporting roller means 6 reach full speed before operating lever means 49 is released to turn counterclockwise under the action of spring 13 to permit movement of supporting levers 8 and 9 to the position of FIG. 3 in which presser roller means 6 becomes operative to effect transport of the paper form 7.

In one of the devices 12, a sensing means is provided to etfect start of a feeding operation after a paper form 7 has been inserted into the guideway of the respective device 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a source of light 61 produces a beam of light passing through a prism 62 toward a portion 30 of plate 3 which is covered by an inserted paper form or card 7. This portion of plate 3 is blackened, so that no light is reflected thereby into the photocell 63 when no paper form or card is located in the guideway between plates 3 and 4. Consequently, no pulse is produced by the photocell 63.

However, when a card or paper form is inserted and blocked in the guideway by the positioning means 23, the light of the source 61 falls on the paper form which reflects light into the photocell 63 which produces a pulse creating a voltage increase at the output of the amplifier 64, which is further amplified by the amplifier 66. The pulse is supplied to a monostable flip-flop 67 and to a relay 65 controlling a relay contact 650: in the circuit of the motor M, and in the circuit of the electromagnetic means 68 which controls the pawl 35 of the arresting wheel 33 so that the arresting Wheel 33 is released for movement when the photocell produces a pulse upon insertion of a paper form.

The apparatus is operated as follows:

The two devices 12, of which only one is shown in FIG. 2, are shifted along the hexagonal shafts 19 and 24 until the spacing of the feeler and positioning means 21, 23 corresponds to the width of the paper form or card. The paper form 7 is inserted into the guideways of the two devices 12 so that its leading edge rests on the feeler means 23 near the lateral edges of the paper form. Due to the precise adjustment of the two feeler parts of the positioning means, the leading edge of the paper form, and thereby the lines 7a thereon, are exactly parallel to the printing direction, and in the proper position with respect to the line along which the printing means of the accounting machine print. The photoelectric sensing means 61, 63 sense the presence of a paper form, since light is reflected therefrom and causes an impulse passing through the amplifiers 64 and 66 and through the relay 65 which closes switch 65a. Electromagnetic means 68 retracts pawl 35, see FIGS. 2 and 4, while the motor M starts its turning movement and eifectcs turning of shaft 28, which is no longer locked by arresting wheel 33 and pawl 35, of shaft 24 with transporting roller means 6, and of shaft 45 which turns in counterclockwise direction with cam 46.

While motor M and transporting roller means 6 accelerate to full speed, the turning cam 46 slides under member 47 so that lever means 49 cannot yet turn about pivot 53 under the action of spring 13. After a given angle, member 47 separates from cam 46, permitting lever means 49 to rapidly turn in counterclockwise direction until stationary stop pin 32 abuts the other end of slot 52.

The blocking arms 16, 17 release supporting lever means 8 and 9 which rapidly turn under the action of springmeans 13 in counterclockwise direction from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 3.

Presser roller means 6, which in the initial position were spaced from transporting roller means 6, are now moved toward the latter so that rollers 6 and 6 engage the paper form 7 and start transporting the same, which is possible since the turning movement of supporting lever 8 has simultaneously effected turning movement of the positioning lever means 21 with feeler means 23 about the fixed pivot means 22.

Due to the delay caused by the cooperating faces of delaying means 46, 47, there is sufii-cient time for the'inserted paper form 7 to assume its correct position on the positioning means 23 although a starting signal is given by the photoelectric sensing means as soon as the paper form is inserted.

The paper form is transported until the photoelectric sensing means senses a dark mark or line 7b on the paper form, which is printed by the printing means of the accounting machine when the same prints the last line of the respective entry. If a new paper form is inserted, a dark mark 76 provided in the region of the head text serves the same purpose.

When the sensing means senses the end mark, no light is reflected by the dark mark into the photocell 63, and a pulse is created which after being amplified by amplifiers 64 and 66 disconnects, after a certain delay, the motor and effects release or pawl 35 by electromagnetic means 68 so that the spring-loaded pawl 35 engages the arresting wheel 33 and stops the turning movement of all shafts. Motor M is reversed for the ejection of form 7 so that the directions of rotation of transporting roller 6 and of cam 46 are reversed. Cam 46 may be in any angular position between the position shown in FIG. 1, and a position displaced an angle of about 300 degrees.

When cam 46, rotating in clockwise direction, returns to the position in which the pointed cam portion 46 engages member 47, while lever means 49 is still displaced, member 47 cannot slide on member 46 and is turned about pivot 48 and lifted off stop 51. Thereupon, member 54 engages lever 49 and turns the same about pivot 53 to the illustrated position so that presser roller 6 is retracted from the paper form 7. When lever 49 has turned a sufficient angle, member 47 is released by cam portion 46' and pulled by spring 50 to slide along cam 46 until abutting stop 51.

The modified embodiment of FIG. 5 is constructed in the same manner as described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 with the exception of the control means, transmission means and blocking means by which the drive means are connected with levers 8, 9.

Between the side walls 3 and 4, a guideway for the paper form or card 7 is provided, and a newly inserted paper form will abut the positioning and feeler means 21, 23. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, feeler means 21, 23 are mounted on pivot pins 22 carried by lateral walls 5, and are turned relative to levers 8 and 9 by studs 20 carried by levers 8 and 9 when levers 8 and 9 are turned in counterclockwise direction.

Levers 8 and 9 support the presser rollers 6' by which the paper form 7 is pressed against transporting roller means 6 when the sensing and positioning means 23 are retracted.

In accordance with the modification illustrated in FIG. 5, levers 8 and 9 have rolls 70 at the ends thereof, and are urged by springs 71 to a position abutting holding cam means of a shaft 72. Each cam means has a higher portion 72', and a low portion 72" which are connected by shoulders 72 with the high cam portion 72. Conseqently, levers 8 and 9 are urged by springs 71 to abut with rolls 70 on the cam means of shaft 72. In the illustrated normal position of rest, rolls 70 abut the higher cam portions 72' which have a greater radius than the low cam portion 72". In this position, the feeler means 23 are located in the guideway between plate 3 and 4, while presser roller means 6 are retracted and inoperative.

When shaft 72 is turned a given angle, for example 45 degrees, rolls 70 slide off the blocking cam portion 72' and abut the lower cam portion 72". This causes turning movement of the levers 8 and 9, and presser roller 6' is moved to a position pressing printing form 7 against transporting roller 6 while the positioning means 23 is retracted.

A motor is mounted in a housing 73 and drives a shaft 74. A toothed pulley, not shown, on shaft 74 drives a belt 75 by which a toothed pulley, not shown, driving a gear 78 is driven. Gear 78 meshes with gear 79 secured to a shaft 80 which carries transporting roller 6. Consequently, the motor drives through transmission means 75 to 80, the transporting roller means 6. Motor shaft 74 carries a gear 81 meshing with a large gear 82 which is connected by a friction coupling, not shown, with a shaft 83 to which a gear 84 is secured. Gear 84 meshes with a gear 85 on a shaft 86 on which a rotary member 87 in the form of a disk is mounted. Rotary member 87 has a projecting pin 88 which cooperates with an arresting pawl 89 mounted on the frame of the apparatus on a pivot pin 90 and being biased in counterclockwise direction by spring 93.

Arresting pawl 89 has a first projection 89 which normally engages a rectangular stud 91 secured to a shifting member 92 which is connected by a lever arm 95 to shaft 7 2. Arresting pawl 89 has a second projection 89" which is engaged by pin 88 when rotary member 87 is turned by v the motor through gears 84 and 85 in counterclockwise When a printing form is inserted in the apparatus, a photoelectric sensing means causes start of the motor, as described with reference to FIG. 4, so that transporting roller 6 and rotary disk member 87 starts to rotate. Rotary member 87 turns in counterclockwise direction through a certain angle until pin 88 engages projection 8 9 of arresting pawl 89 and rises the same to a position in which projection 89' releases the projection 91 of shifting member 92 so that spring 94 urges shifting member 92 to the left as viewed in FIG. 5 to a position in which holding cam 72 is turned so that the lower cam portion '72" cooperate with rolls 70 whereby levers '8 and 9 are free to turn under the action of spring 71 until presser roller means 6' engages the paper form 7 and positioning means 26 is retracted.

When the paper form is to be ejected, pin 88, which may be in any angular position, moves with the rotary member 37 in clockwise direction until it arrives in the illustrated position. During such movement, pin 8$ [first engages projection 89 from the left and rises arresting pawl 89, whereupon pin 88 engages a projection 92 of shifting member 92 which is in a position closer to projection 89' of arresting pawl 89 snaps behind projection left. During the travel of pin 88, shifting member 92 is pulled back by pin 88 acting on projection 92, and projection '89 when shifting member 92 is still shifted to the 91 to hold the shifting member 92 in the illustrated normal position of rest. Since cam 72', 72" is turned by the shifting member moving to the right, levers 8 and 9 are again pressed by cam portion 72 to the position shown in FIG. 5.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of apparatus for feeding a record carrier, such as a paper form, to a business machine diifering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for positioning a paper form relative to the printing means of an accounting machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can be applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for positioning and orienting a record card before printing on the record card in a predetermined direction in a business machine, comprising, in combination, guide means; transporting means having an inoperative position and an operative position for transporting a record card in a feeding direction from said guide means into the business machine; positioning means turnable about a single axis between an inoperative position and a blocking and orienting position engaging the leading edge of a record card located in said guide means, said positioning means in said orienting position being oriented parallel to said predetermined direction and being non-movable in said feeding direction: connecting means connecting said positioning means with said transporting means cooperating with the same; drive means for drivpositioning means moves to said inoperative position when said transporting means moves to said operative position, and is in said blocking and orienting position when said transporting means is in said inoperative position; operating means for moving said transporting means and said positioning means simultaneously between said positions;

and sensing means disposed for sensing a record card when the same is engaged by said positioning means and being operatively connected with said operating means to actuate the same.

2. An apparatus for positioning and orienting a record card before printing on the record card in a prede termined direction in a business machine, comprising, in combination, guide means; transporting means having an inoperative position and an operative position for transporting a record card in a feeding direction from said guide means into the business machine; drive means for driving said transporting means; positioning means turnable about a single axis between an inoperative position and a blocking and orienting position engaging the leading edge of a record card located in said guide means, said positioning means in said orienting position being oriented parallel to said predetermined direction and being non-movable in said feeding direction; connecting means connecting said positioning means with said transporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means moves to said inoperative position when said transporting means moves to said operative position, and is in said blocking and orienting position when said transporting means is in said inoperative position; operating means for moving said transporting means and said positioning means simultaneously between said positions; and transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including delaying means so that said transporting means is moved to said operative position a given time after said drive means has started driving said transporting means when said transporting means moves at full speed and when the leading edge of the record card fully abuts said positioning means.

3. An apparatus for positioning and orienting a record card before printing on the record card in a predetermined direction in a business machine, comprising, in combination, guide means; transporting means having an inoperative position and an operative position for transporting a record card in a feeding direction from said guide means into the business machine; drive means for driving said transporting means; positioning means turnable about a single axis between an inoperative position and a blocking and orienting position engaging the leading edge of a record card located in said guide means, said positioning means in said orienting position being oriented parallel to said predetermined direction and being non-movable in said feeding direction; connecting means connecting said positioning means with said transporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means moves to said inoperative position when said transporting means moves to said operative position, and is in said blocking and orienting position when said transporting means is in said inoperative position; operating means for moving said transporting means and said positioning means simultaneously between said positions; transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means .and including delaying means so that said transporting means is moved to said operative position a given time after said drive means has started driving said transporting means and when said transporting means moves at full speed and when the leading edge of the record card fully abuts said positioning means; and sensing means disposed for sensing a record card when the same is engaged by said positioning means and being operatively connected with said drive means to start the same to cause actuation of said operating means.

4. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, transporting means for the record carrier including transporting roller means and presser roller means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said ing said transporting roller means; supporting means for said presser roller means and being movable between a first position in which said presser roller means is spaced blocking position engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted between said transporting roller means and said presser roller means for determinin the position of the record carrier While said presser roller means and transporting roller means are in said spaced position, said positioning means in said blocking position being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine and being non-movable in said feeding direction so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means mechanically connecting said positioning means with said supporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means is in said blocking position while said transporting roller means and presser roller means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting means is in said second position and said transporting means transport the record carrier only when said positioning means is in said inoperative position; operating means for shifting said supporting means and said positioning means between said positions; and transmission means connecting said drive means with said operating means and including delaying means so that said supporting means is shifted with said presser roller means to said second position a given time after said drive means has started driving said transporting means, when said transporting roller means moves at full speed, and when the leading edge of the record carrier fully abuts said positioning means.

5. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, transporting means for the record carrier including trans-porting roller means and presser roller means coopeating with the same; drive motor means for driving said transporting roller means; supporting lever means turnably mounting said presser roller means and being movable between a first position in which said presser roller means is spaced from said transporting roller means and a second position in which said presser roller means is adapted to press a record carrier located between said presser roller means and said transporting roller means against said transporting roller means so that the record carrier is transported in a feeding direction; positioning lever means turnable about a single axis between an inoperative position, and a blocking position engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted between said transporting roller means and said presser roller means for determining the position of the record carrier while said pesser roller means and transporting roller means are in said spaced position, said positioning means in said blocking position being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine and being non-movable in said feeding direction so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means pivotally connecting said positioning lever means with said supporting lever means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning lever means is in said blocking position while said transporting roller means and presser roller means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting lever means is in said second position and said transporting roller means transport said record carrier only when said positioning lever means is in said inoperative position; operating means for shifting said supporting lever means between said positions; transmission means connecting said drive motor means with said operating means and including delaying s,2ee,e 12

means so that said supporting lever means is shifted with said presser roller means to said second position a given time after said drive motor means has started driving said transporting roller means when said transporting roller means rotates at full speed, and when the leading edge of the record carrier fully abuts said positioning means; and sensing means disposed for sensing a record carrier when the same is engaged by said positioning means, said sensing means being operatively connected with said drive motor means for starting the operation of the same when sensing a record carrier so that due to said delaying means, the record carrier is already adjusted when said transporting roller means starts to transport the record carrier.

6. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, guide means including two plates forming a guideway for the record carrier, said plates having two pairs of opposite openings; transporting means for the record carrier including transporting roller means located in one opening of one of said pairs of openings, and presser roller means located in the other opening of said pair and cooperating with said transporting roller means; drive motor means for driving said transporting means; supporting means turnably mounting said presser roller means and being tumable about a single axis between a first position in which said presser roller means is spaced from said transporting roller means and a second position in which said presser roller means is located in said guideway and adapted to press a record carrier located between said presser roller means and said transporting roller means against said transporting roller means so that the record carrier is transported; positioning means mounted on said guide means for pivotal movement and having a feeler part movable between an inoperative position, and a blocking position located in said openings of the other pair of openings and in said guideway for engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted in said guideway between said transporting roller means and said presser roller means for determining the position of the record carrier while said presser roller means and transporting roller means are in said spaced position, said feeler part being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine and being nonmovable in said feeding direction so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means mechanically connecting said positioning means with said supporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means is in said blocking position while said transporting roller means and presser roller means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting means is in said second position and said transporting roller means transport said record carrier only when said positioning means is in said inoperative position; operating means for shifting said supporting means and said positioning means between said positions; transmission means connecting said drive motor means with said operating means and including delaying means so that said supporting means is shifted with said presser roller means to said second position a given time after said drive motor means has started driving said transporting roller means when said transporting roller means rotates at full speed, and when the leading edge of the record carrier fully abuts said positioning means; and sensing means disposed for sensing a record carrier when the same is engaged by said positioning means, said sensing means including photoelectric means operatively connected with said drive motor means for starting operation of the same when sensing a record carrier so that due to said delaying means the record carrier is adjusted when said transporting roller means starts to transport the record carrier.

7. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, transporting means for the record carrier including transporting roller means vand presser roller means cooperating .with the same; supporting means for said presser roller means and being movable between a first position in which said presser roller means is spaced from said transporting roller means and a second position in which said presser roller means is adapted to press a record carrier located between said presser roller means and said transporting roller means against said transporting roller means so that the record carrier is transported in a feeding direction; spring means biasing said supporting means to move to said second position; blocking means for blocking movement of said supporting means under the action of said spring means; positioning means turnab-le about a single axis between an inoperative position, and a blocking position engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted between said transporting means and said presser means for determining the position of the record carrier while said presser roller means and transporting roller means are in said spaced position, said positioning means in said blocking position being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine and being non-movable in said feeding direction so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means mechanically connecting said positioning means with said supporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means is in said blocking position while said transporting roller means and presser roller means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting means is in said second position and said transporting roller means transport the record carrier only when said positioning means is in said inoperative position; control means connected to said blocking means and being turnable between an inoperative position, and a releasing position for releasing said blocking means; rotary drive means connected to said transporting means for driving the same; and delaying means including a rotary cam driven by said drive means and having an angular position for holding said control means in said inoperative position and being turned by said drive means so as to release said control means for movement to said releasing position so that said supporting means is released by said blocking means and shifted with said presser roller means to said second position a given time after said drive means has started driving said transporting roller means, and when the leading edge of the record carrier fully abuts said positioning means.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said supporting means is a pair of supporting levers, said presser roller means being turnably mounted on said supporting levers; and wherein said blocking means include a shaft, a pair of blocking arms non-turnably mounted on said shaft and respectively engaging said supporting levers in said blocking position, and a lever arm nonturn-ably mounted on said shaft and operatively connected to said control means so that turning of said control means to said releasing position effects turning of said blocking arms to a position releasing said supporting levers.

9. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, transportng means for the record carrier including transporting roller means and presser roller means cooperating with the same; supporting means for said presser roller means and being movable between a first position in which said presser roller means is spaced from said transporting roller means :and a second position in which said presser roller means is adapted to press a record carrier located between said presser roller means and said transporting roller means against said transporting roller means so that the record carrier is transported in a feeding direction; spring means biasing said supporting means to move to said second position; blocking means for blocking movement of said supporting means under the action of said spring means; positioning means movable between an inoperative position, and a blocking position engaging the leading edge of :a record carrier inserted between said transporting roller means and said presser roller means for determining the position of the record carrier while said presser roller means and transporting roller means .are in said spaced position, said positioning means in said blocking position being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine and being non-movable in said feeding direction so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means mechanically connecting said positioning means with said supporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means is in said blocking position while said transporting roller means and presser roller means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting means is in said second position and said transporting means transport the record carrier only when said positioning means is in said inoperative position; control means connected to said blocking means and being turnable between an inoperative position, and a releasing position for releasing said blocking means; rotary drive means connected to said transporting roller means for driving the same; and delaying means for holding said control means in said inoperative position and being operated by said drive means so as to release said control means for movement to said releasing position so that said supporting means is released by said blocking means and shifted with said presser roller means to said second position a given time after said drive means has started driving said transporting means, and when the leading edge of the record carrier fully abuts said positioning means.

10. An apparatus for positioning and orienting a record card before printing on the record card in a predetermined direction in a business machine, comprising, in combination, guide means; transporting means having an inoperative position and an operative position for transporting a record card in a feeding direction from said guide means into the business machine; positioning means turnable about a single axis between an inoperative position and a blocking and orienting position engaging the leading edge of a record card located in said guide means, said positioning means in said orienting position being oriented parallel to said predetermined direction and being nonmovable in said feeding direction; connecting means connecting said positioning means with said transporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means moves to said inoperative position when said transporting means moves to said operative position, and is in said blocking and orienting position when said transporting means is in said inoperative postion; holding means for holding said transporting means in said inoperative position and said positioning means in said blocking position; and control means for releasing said holding means, and for causing simultaneous movement of said transporting means to said operative position and of said positioning means to said inoperative position, said control means including a shifting member connected to said holding means, spring means urging said shifting member to release said holding means, an arresting member for arresting said shifting member, and a rotary driven member for releasing said arresting member.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said holding means includes cam means turned by said shifting member.

12. Apparatus for positioning a record carrier before insertion in a business machine, comprising, in combination, feeding means for the record carrier including transporting means and presser means cooperating with the same; supporting means for said presser means and being movable between a first position in which said presser means is spaced from said transporting means and a second position in which said presser means is adapted to press a record carrier located between said presser means and said transporting means against said transporting means so that the record canrier is transported; spring means biasing said supporting means to move to said second position; blocking means for blocking movement of said supporting means under the action of said spring means and including turnable cam means having a first position for holding said supporting means in said first position and a second position for releasing said supporting means so that the same moves to said second position; positioning means movable between an inoperative position, and a blocking position engaging the leading edge of a record carrier inserted between said transporting means and said presser means for adjusting the position of the record carrier while said presser means and transporting means are in said spaced position, said positioning means being oriented parallel to a predetermined direction in which an operation is to be carried on on the record carrier in the business machine so that the leading edge and lines on the record carrier are oriented in said predetermined direction; connecting means mechanically connecting said positioning means with said supporting means for automatic simultaneous movement so that said positioning means is in said blocking position while said transporting means and presser means are in said spaced position, and so that said supporting means is in said second position and said transporting means transport the record carrier only when said positioning means is in said inoperative position; control means connected to said blocking means and being turnable between an inoperative position, and a releasing position for releasing said blocking means, said control means including a shifting member connected to said turnable cam means, a spring urging said shifting member to turn said cam means to said second position, an arresting pawl normally locking said shifting member, and a rotary member for moving said pawl to a position releasing said shifting member; and rotary drive means connected to said rotary member for rotating the same, and connected to said transporting means for driving the same.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rotary member has a pin cooperating with said arresting pawl so that operation of said shifting member is delayed a given time after start of said drive means, said pin being adapted to engage said shifting member for moving the same to a position in which the same is arrested by said arresting pawl, and in which position said turnable cam means is in said first position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,181,992 12/ 1939 Ghertman 197127 X 2,670,068 2/1954 Rutishauser et al. 197127 2,836,279 5/1958 Fischer 197128 3,040,860 6/1962 Montross et al 197127 3,115,963 12/ 1963 Harbor et a1 197127 FOREIGN PATENTS 501,029 2/ 1939 Great Britain. 529,051 11/1950 Great Britain.

ROBERT E. PULFR'EY, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST R. WRIGHT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A ORIENTING A RECORD CARD BEFORE PRINTING ON THE RECORD CARD IN A PREDERERMINED DIRECTION IN A BUSINESS MACHINE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, GUIDE MEANS; TRANSPORTING MEANS HAVING AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION FOR TRANSPORTING A RECORD CARD IN A FEEDING DIRECTION FROM SAID GUIDING MEANS INTO THE BUSINESS MACHINE; POSITIONING MEANS TURNABLE ABOUT A SINGLE AXIS BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND A BLOCKING AND ORIENTING POSITION ENGAGING THE LEADING EDGE OF A RECORD CARD LOCATED IN SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID POSITIONING MEANS IN SAID ORIENTING POSITION BEING OERIENTED PARALLEL TO SAID PREDETERMINED DIRECTION AND BEING NON-MOVABLE IN SAID FEEDING DIRECTION; CONNECTING MEANS CONNECTING SAID POSITIONING MEANS WITH SAID TRANSPORTING MEANS COOPERATING WITH THE SAME; DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVPOSITIONING MEANS MOVES TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION WHEN SAID TRANSPORTING MEANS MOVES TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION, AND IS IN SAID BLOCKING AND ORIENTING POSITION WHEN SAID 